| Date of visit: | 21.10.1976 |
| Location: | In Punakha district, at 28 km from Punakha. Mule track from Punakha to Jongchu (16 km) then 12 km on foot, a journey of 2.5 hours, not usable during rains. |
| Altitude: | 1 823 m |
| Area: | 60 ha |
| Depth: | Maximum 20.7 m |
| Environment: | Situated inside thick forest. Steep banks on three sides and gradual slope on one side. The colour of water (after rains) was brownish green. Thick aquatic submerged weeds and plants near the marginal side of the lake. |
| Physico-Chemical Examination: | Examinations conducted on 21.10.76 were as follows: |
| Main stream water entering lake | Lake water | |||||
| Surface | at 5m depth | at 15 m depth | ||||
| Morning | Noon | Evening | ||||
| Air temp. (°C) | 28 | 19 | 29 | 25 | - | - |
| Water temp. (°C) | 18 | 15 | 17.5 | 18 | 17 | 15 |
| pH | 7.6 | 7.2 | 6.8 | 6.4 | ||
| D.O. (ppm) | 7 | 9 | 6 | 2 | ||
| Co2 (Mgl) | 1 | 2 | - | - | ||
| Total alkalinity (mg/l) | 2 | 1 | - | - | ||
| Nitrogen | ||||||
nitrate (mg/l) | 0.5 | |||||
nitrite " | 0.2 | |||||
| Phosphate Ortho (mg/l) | 1.22 | |||||
The temperature, pH and D.O. at depth were taken with a bottom sampler and chemical examination was done with a Hach chemical kit.
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF FORESTS, BHUTAN MINISTRY OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND FORESTS ROYAL GOVERNMENT OF BHUTAN
| No. 2S-1/75/2496 | Dechenche Taba, Thimbu P.O. |
| Dated 26th Sept. 1975. |
AMMENDMENT TO BHUTAN FISHING RULES
Licence fee for fishing with rod or line is revised as under with immediate effect:
| (a) | For one day | N 15/- |
| For one month | N 50/- | |
| For six months | N 100/- | |
| For one year | N 150/- | |
| (b) | For Forèigners | |
| For one day | $ 2.00 | |
| For one month | $ 6.50 | |
| For six months | $ 13.50 | |
| For one year | $ 20.00 |
Note: Citizens of India, Bangladesh, Nepal may pay in rupees or ngultrums.
Under clause 7 of the existing fishing rules add the following:
Per day maximum catch shall not exceed five fish. If the permit holder intends to catch more than five fish he should pay N 2/- per fish or $ 0.25 per fish.
| (S. Doley) Director of Forests Bhutan |
LICENCE FOR FISHING WITH ROD AND LINE
Licence No. Date
Name of the licence holder
Address
Status
Name of river or portion thereof for which permit is granted
Valid from
Fee
Rates of licence fees:
| (a) for one day | - N 5/- | (c) for six months | - N 100/- |
| (b) for one month | - N 50/- | (d) for one year | - N 150/- |
Range Officer
Division Range
NOTIFICATION DATED 1st JANUARY 1974
BHUTAN FISHING RULES
These rules shall be called the Bhutan Fishing Rules and it shall come into force with effect from 1st January 1974. It shall extend to the whole of Bhutan.
Catching of fish in any stream, river, pond or lakes in Bhutan is strictly prohibited without possession of a valid Fishing Licence.
Fishing Licence shall be issued by the Forest Department, Conservators of Forests, Divisional Forest Officers of the area or any other authority duly empowered for this purpose by the Royal Government of Bhutan. The Fishing Licence shall be issued on a prescribed Form on payment of the prescribed fees.
Fishing shall be prohibited during the following periods and Licence holders shall not engage themselves in the catching of fish during the prohibitory periods.
During the months of October, November and December every year for fishing trout.
Fishing on 8th, 15th and 30th of each Bhutanese month is prohibited.
Fishing by the following means is strictly prohibited.
Fishing by poisoning or dynamiting rivers, streams, ponds or lakes.
Erection of weirs, dams for diverting rivers/streams to trap the fish.
Fishing by firearms, closed nets, large nets, puglep, Phen-Phen or splashing or laving of waters.
The licence holder shall not catch fish which are less than eight inch in length.
Fishing within one mile of a Gompa, Temple, Dzong or Lama School and within twenty yards of the main road is strictly prohibited.
The Licence holder shall carry his Fishing Licence with him at the time of fishing. Persons not holding a valid Fishing Licence shall not assist the Licence holder in fishing. The Licence holder shall produce his Fishing Licence on demand by any Police Officer or an Officer of the Forest Department of the Royal Government of Bhutan.
Refusal to show his Fishing Licence on demand by a Police Officer or a Forest Officer, the individual engaged in fishing shall be punishable with a fine, which may extend up to Rs 50. The person so fined shall give his name, address and also the address of the issuing authority of his Fishing Licence, to enable the Government Officers to check whether the person so fined possesses a valid Fishing Licence. In case it is found on checking that the person so fined did not possess a Fishing Licence, he shall be liable to a fine which may extend up to Rs 500 or with imprisonment which may extend up to one month or with both.
Persons engaged in fishing without obtaining a valid Fishing Licence shall be liable to a fine, which may extend up to Rs 500 or with imprisonment which may extend up to one month or with both.
The Licence holder shall not transfer or endorse his Fishing Licence in favour of any other person for fishing.
The Licence holder shall not sell, barter or loan his catch of fish in any place in Bhutan or outside.
The offences under this Act shall be cognizable and bailable and Police Officers/ Forest Officers are authorised to arrest any person who is found committing a breach of any of the provisions of these Rules.
Whoever commits an offence under any of the above provisions shall be liable to a fine, which may extend up to Rs 500 or with imprisonment which may extend up to one month or with both.
In case of fishing by poisoning or dynamiting, the fine shall extend up to Rs 1 000 or imprisonment for two months or both.
Breach of any of the provisions of this Act shall render the Licence holder liable to cancellation of his Fishing Licence in addition to the penalties provided under this act.
This has the approval of His Majesty the King.
Tengye Lyonpo
| Name of district | Village or area visited | Area of the land available (ha) | Situation | Source of water | Altitude
(Approx.) (m) | Probable fishes that can be cultured | Remarks |
| Cold Water Zone | |||||||
| 1. Ha Dzong | Hate | 10 | Near road side | 3–4 Springs and streams | 2 988 | Trout | Good clayey soil |
| Yangto | 4 | On the bank of Ha chu river near Yangto village | Ha river water | 2 835 | -do- | River bed at higher level but sufficient water from Ha chu can be diverted for trout culture | |
| Ha Dzong proper | 8 | Near present hatchery farm | Spring, as well as river water from Ha chu | 2 774 | Rainbow and brown trout | A fish seed-cum-demonstration farm for trout culture proposed | |
| Chelukha | 8 | Near helipad | Ha river | 2 744 | Trout | - | |
| Kana | 10 | Between Chape and Kana | -do- | 2 744 | -do- | - | |
| 2. Bumthang | Byakar | 40 | At Byakar proper beside the Chamkhar chu river up to a distance of 1-1.5 km | Chamkhar chu | 2 744 | Trout and Asia | A trout hatchery-cum-production farm to utilize 5–6 ha of land is proposed |
| 3. Tongsa | Rukubi | 2 | On the bank of Ninke chu in pieces | River and spring water | 3 048 | Trout | - |
| Temperate Zone | |||||||
| 4. Paro | Paro village | 6 | Near Paro helipad and on the side of Paro chu | Paro chu | 2 362 | Trout and Asia. Beside this, Common carp and silver carp can also be attempted | Bulldozer also available for construction of small ponds |
| Between Paro village and Dukey Dzong | 6 | In pieces at number of places, a small neglected pond at Dukey Dzong also exists | Spring and streams and also Paro chu river | 2 362- 2 438 | -do- | - | |
| Paro | 4 | Small pieces, Museum and Hydel station | River water from do chu and other streams | Same as above | -do- | Small ponds ranging from 0.15–0.2 ha can be created | |
| Paro village near paddy fields | 3 | Between Paro chu and hillock on the right side of Paro chu | River water and a few streams and springs | 2 362 | -do- | Good for common carp and silver carp fish culture during off-season or paddycum-fish culture can be attempted | |
| Shabasha | 15 | On the left bank of Paro chu | Paro river | 2 316 | Trout and/or common carp | - | |
| 5. Thimbu | From Thimbu town up to Namseling | 5 | In pieces on the right and left banks of Thimbu Chu river | Thimbu Chu river | 2 195 | -do- | Pieces of lands which can receive water from Thimbuchu river. An experimental small pond of 0.09 ha was already for common carp |
| Thimbu | 0.6 | Near Changlingmethang on the right bank of Thimbu Chu river | Thimbu Chu river | 2 316 | Trout and/or common carp | Already a pond of 0.6 ha is under construction for recreation purpose but can be utilized for fish culture | |
| Around Thimbu town | 4–5 | In different areas including land at Wangchutaba having good clayey soil | Stream water | 2 195-2 316 | Common carp | An experimental pond of 0.2 ha at Wangchutaba near hatchery is proposed for construction for culture of common carp | |
| Dudana | 1.25 | On left bank of Thimbu Chu river and at the confluence of river Chari chu meeting Thimbu chu, 3 km from Begana | Thimbu Chu, above the Confluence with Chari chu | 2 560 | Trout hatchery | There is a good piece of land in two pieces where a good trout hatchery can be constructed. Besides this the place can be converted into a good picnic spot for the public of Thimbu | |
| 6. Punakha | Near Senagysa Between Senagysa and Shashi | 10–12 | On the right bank of Mo chu | No chu river water | 1 250-1 280 | Common carp, silver carp and Asia. An attempt for Mahaseer culture can also be made | A big area of land is available though the soil is sandy clayey but adequate water from river can be diverted for creating number of ponds for fish culture |
| Shashi | 2 | Near Shashi village | On the right bank of Mo chu | 1 280-1 372 | Common carp | Large number of paddy fields which during off-season can be utilized for fish culture | |
| 7. Wangdiphodrang | Near Lobesa village | 12 | Near Chimilakhang | 2 streams and canal water | 1 250 | Common carp, silver carp | A farm is proposed. Besides this 1 500 ha of irrigated paddy fields exist. Attempt at paddy-cum-fish culture can be made. Besides this, some pieces of fallow lands can also be utilized for construction of pond fish culture. Cage culture can also be attempted in this area |
| 8. Shemgong | Buli village | 4 | Near Dzong | Springs and small streams | 1 829 | Common carp and silver carp | A big swampy area lying near the village, which after deepening, can be converted into a big lake of 4–5 ha. Villagers are also interested in fish culture. Near Buli: people from Tali, Joker and Bardochino villages are also interested in construction of small ponds |
| Subtropical Zone | |||||||
| 9. Surey | Surey village | 2–4 | In small pieces close to the springs and streams all around the villages | Spring and streams water | 1 219 | Common carp, silver carp | Small ponds ranging from 0.15 ha and larger can be constructed near the streams. Cage culture and running water fish culture can also be conducted |
| 10. Tashigang | Buna village | 10–12 | Small pieces of 0.5–1.0 ha area on both the sides of Gamri river | Gamri river water | 914 | Major carp, common carp and catli and Mahaseer | A small piece of 0.6 ha has been selected for construction of a demonstration pond near Buna village |
| 11. Samdrup Jongkhar | In the town | 2 | Near the bank of river and close to rest house | River water | 231 | -do- | Though land is not very good but sufficient water is available. Besides pond culture and running water and cage culture fisheries can be taken up in Samdrup Jongkhar village also |
| 12. Manas Sanctuary | Manas | 0.6 | Near the rest house | Water can be brought from river | 231 | -do- | Seasonal fishery pond can be created, both for fish culture and demonstration purposes |
| 13. Gaylegphug | Rehabilitation Colony | 0.5 | In the colony area where depressions exist and newly constructed canal water is available | Canal water | 195 | Major carps | Pond culture, cage culture and running water can also be attempted |
| Khalikhola | 8 | Khalikhola old river bed | 2 springs | 195 | -do- | A small demonstration farm is proposed at this place | |
| Between Gaylegphug and Sarbhang | 1–2 | Near the springs and streams, particularly Bhur side | Springs and streams | 273 | -do- | Small depression having good clayey soil can be utilized for constructing small ponds ranging from 0.1 ha Cage and running water fish culture can also be attempted | |
| 14. Sarbhang | Near Market | 2 | Private lands near the stream and near the river. One small piece of land in Sarbhang new township | River and streams | 326 | -do- | Already one farmer is doing fish culture in a depression pond which is seasonal. He has also cultured common carp and major carp. |
| 15. Damphu and Labsebote | Damphu | 2–3 | All around Damphu | Streams and springs | 1 615 | Common carp | All around Damphu and Labsebote village the soil is completely clayey, and many of the depressions and small field area can be utilized for fish culture with little changes |
| 16. Phuntsholing | Back side of
New Cinema hall and near thecemented pond | 0.2 | The land in
between the river and thecemented pond | River water | 234 | -do- | There is a small area which
can be utilized for construc- tion of small pond |
| 17. Samchi | Changmari | 1 | A private land of a farmer | Stream | 610 | All major carps and common carp | One private farmer has already taken common carp and created a small pond for culturing the fish |
| 18. Daipham | About 1 km from Daipham | 1 (+ 2 ha of Gulandi lake) | - | Stream and lake | 610 | -do- | Lake can be utilized properly |
| Private pond in Thimbu | Kanglung Agriculture Farm pond | Private pond in Sarbhang | Remarks | ||
| 1. | Altitude | 2 392 m | 2 042 m | 326 m | |
| 2. | Area of the pond | 0.0091 ha | 0.014 ha | 0.166 ha | |
| 3. | Average depth | 1 m | 1 m | 2 m | Maximum depth for pond in Sarbhang. |
| 4. | Source of water | Stream (water taken when needed) | Stream (water taken when needed) | The pond in Sarbhang is rainfed from April onwards; water can be taken from a nonperennial stream. | |
| 5. | Date of construction | May 1976 | Old pond | Old depression | Pond remains dry for 2–3 months. |
| 6. | Date of stocking | 1/7/76 | 14/8/76 | 21/6/76 | |
| 7. | Average weight of fish stocked | 8 g | 12 g | 8 g | |
| 8. | No. of Common carp fingerlings stocked | 120 | 91 | 120 + 1 000 major carp (800 catla and 200 rohu) | In Sarbhang major carp fingerlings were purchased by the farmer from neighbouring West Bengal, India |
| 9. | Feed given to fish | In the first month, mixed feed (30% fish meal, 40% maize and balance kitchen refuse and cow dung). | Nil | Nil | In Sarbhang the farmer added cow dung from time to time. The pond receives washing from the rice field. |
| Approximately 8–10% of body weight was prescribed but after one month fish were fed on kitchen refuse, cow and hog dung. | |||||
| 10. | Date of last sampling | 8/10/76 | 28/11/76 | 27/11/76 | |
| 11. | Increment in weight | 40–100 g (51 g average) | 50–105 g (70 g average) | C. carp) 250–320 g Catla) Rohu 40 g | |
| 12. | Net gain in weight | (5 100–960) = 4 140 g | 1 | 1 | |
| 13. | Estimated production | 450 kg/ha in three months | 2 | 2 |
1 Total fish taken out and weighed
2 Fish still in the pond.
Additional remarks
A pilot experiment on a modest scale was undertaken to study the suitability of common carp at different altitudes. Experiments were made at four places; two in Thimbu, one in Kanglung Agriculture Farm pond and one at Sarbhang.
An experiment in a pond constructed at the Wangchutaba Farm near the trout hatchery had to be abandoned after three monthes as the fish were eaten by otters. This was discovered when two otters were killed at night. In Thinbu (2 392 m) it has been possible to get a production of 450 kg/ha during a three month growing period. The survival was 80 percent. In the other experiments, because of management problems, complete fishing could not be done. However, trial netting showed good fish growth at Kanglung and Sarbhang and, on the presumption of 80 percent survival and the average weight stated above, it could be possible to get a production of 500 kg/ha at Kanglung in three and one half months and about 900 kg/ha at Sarbhang in a period of five months and that also without providing any feed.
Table 1
ATMOSPHERIC TEMPERATURE DATA AT FOUR DIFFERENT ALTITUDES
| Months | Sarbhang
1 for 1975 Altitude 365 m | Wangdi Phodrang 1 for 1975 Altitude 1 374 m | Thimbu 1 for 1974 Altitude 2 392 m | Bumthang 2 for 1975 Altitude 2 800 m | ||||
| Max.°C | Min.°C | Max.°C | Min.°C | Max.°C | Min.°C | Max.°C | Min.°C | |
| January | 25 | 15 | 20 | 8 | 10 | -3 | 9.9 | -5.6 |
| February | 24 | 15 | 26 | 8 | 5 | 1 | 12.2 | -1.7 |
| March | 34 | 19 | 28.5 | 11 | 8 | 4 | 16 | 0.0 |
| April | 35 | 22 | 35 | 16 | 10 | 8 | 18.4 | 3.3 |
| May | 34 | 22 | 37 | 19 | 15 | 10 | 20.1 | 7.3 |
| June | 33 | 24 | 36 | 22 | 16 | 11 | 22.7 | 11.5 |
| July | - | - | 37.5 | 20 | 18 | 15 | 21.3 | 12.1 |
| August | 34 | 24 | - | - | 21 | 17 | 22.9 | 11.5 |
| September | 35 | 25 | 24 | 16 | 18 | 14 | 19.3 | 10.2 |
| October | 34 | 24 | 28.5 | 16 | 15 | 12 | 19.6 | 7.4 |
| November | - | - | 19 | 14 | 10 | 6 | 14.4 | 6.0 |
| December | 23 | 12 | 21 | 4 | - | - | 11.1 | 4.3 |
 | 31.1 | 20.2 | 28.4 | 14.0 | 13.3 | 8.6 | 17.3 | 5.5 |
| s | 4.95 | 4.66 | 7.05 | 5.64 | 4.96 | 6.17 | 4.51 | 5.69 |
1 Collected from Wireless Department
2 Supplied by Swiss Project Personnel
| Altitude (m) | Jan. | Feb. | March | April | May | June | July | Aug. | Sep. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec. | Average Annual Rainfall (mm) | |
| 1. Phuntsholing | 234 | 24.13 | 33.52 | 45.74 | 164.59 | 439.93 | 880.36 | 873.50 | 1 009.90 | 811.28 | 165.60 | 14.99 | 7.11 | 4 470.65 |
| 2. Sarbhang | 326 | 22.10 | 26.67 | 25.40 | 128.02 | 509.27 | 696.72 | 969.52 | 862.08 | 789.18 | 206.25 | 25.65 | 2.03 | 4 262.89 |
| 3. Samchi 1 | 610 | 19.81 | 150.11 | 57.15 | 235.61 | 498.86 | 655.59 | 669.04 | 553.74 | - | 54.61 | 15.49 | - | 2 910.01 |
| 4. Gaylegphug | 195 | 77.22 | - | 5.33 | 42.93 | 92.20 | 169.93 | 383.47 | 1 097.53 | 278.38 | 8.38 | - | 8.38 | 2 163.75 |
| 5. Paro | 2 362 | 13.20 | 4.06 | 40.03 | 29.72 | 43.69 | 70.86 | 143.51 | 134.87 | 103.63 | 49.28 | 8.89 | 2.03 | 643.77 |
| 6. Tongsa | 2 172 | 11.43 | 26.72 | 60.22 | 57.01 | 156.64 | 186.10 | 255.93 | 256.97 | 147.46 | 59.88 | 6.91 | 14.00 | 1 239.27 |
| 7. Mongar | -1 520 | 10.41 | 9.65 | 23.11 | 9.65 | 85.09 | 152.15 | 180.85 | 104.10 | 71.14 | 47.00 | 3.05 | 1.27 | 697.47 |
| 8. Tashigong | 99 | 15.75 | 10.67 | 34.04 | 50.19 | 75.95 | 135.64 | 142.24 | 127.51 | 86.87 | 50.80 | 1.78 | 0.25 | 731.69 |
| 9. Wangdi Phodrang | 1 374 | 5.59 | 3.81 | 9.65 | 16.76 | 46.24 | 117.35 | 145.80 | 113.28 | 97.04 | 56.13 | 2.79 | 7.87 | 622.31 |
| 10. Thimbu 2 | 2 392 | 1.92 | 10.55 | 12.10 | 22.40 | 48.00 | 102.47 | 149.35 | 152.80 | 120.80 | 70.10 | nil | 0.45 | 690.94 |
1 Collected and compiled by Hydel Department
2 Information collected from Wireless Department.
Table 3
PHYSICO-CHEMICAL WATER QUALITY OF BHUTAN RIVERS
| Name of the Main River | Sampling site | Altitude (m) | Date | Temperature °C | pH | Electric conductivity (µmho) | D.O. (ppm) | |
| Air | Water | |||||||
| Torsa | Phuntsholing | 234 | 28. 3.76 | 28.0 | 17.5 | 7.3 | - | - |
| Phuntsholing | 234 | 25.4.76 | 32.0 | 26.0 | - | - | - | |
| Wong Chu or Raidak System | ||||||||
| i. Ha Chu | Ha Dzong | 2 774 | 15. 9.76 | - | 18.0 | 7.2 | - | 7.8 |
| ii. Ha Chu | Ha Dzong | 2 774 | 30. 9.76 | 25.0 | 14.0 | 6.8 | 29 | - |
| iii. Duje Dzong | Duje Dzong | 2 591 | 16.9.76 | 25.0 | 15.0 | - | - | - |
| iv. Thimbu Chu | Thimbu | 2 993 | 18.9.76 | 25.0 | 11.0 | - | - | - |
| v. Thimbu Chu | Thimbu | 2 993 | 29.9.76 | 19.0 | 11.0 | 8.6 | 110 | - |
| vi. Wangchutaba Farm Stream | Thimbu | 2 377 | 28.10.76 | 16.5 | 10.0 | 7.6 | - | - |
| vii. Paro Chu | Paro | 2 362 | 16.9.76 | 25.0 | 14.0 | - | - | - |
| viii. Paro Chu | Paro | 2 362 | 4.10.76 | 23.5 | 12.7 | 8.0 | 95 | 9.5 |
| Sankosh System | ||||||||
| i. Mo Chu | Between Punakha and Younsakha | 1 372 | 14.4.76 | 28.5 | 15.0 | - | - | - |
| ii. Chuggem Chu | Between Wangdi and Tongsa | 1 372 | 6.10.76 | 23.0 | 18.0 | 8.4 | 19.5 | 10 |
| iii. Chanchi River | Near Lapsibote | 1 280 | 28.4.76 | 27.5 | 21.0 | 8.5 | - | - |
| iv. Sankosh River | Punakha/Wangdi | 1 280 | 23.10.76 | 24.5 | 14.5 | - | 65 | 8 |
| v. Botokha | Above Punakha | 1 244 | 12.4.76 | 27.5 | 16.5 | 7.7 | - | - |
| vi. Mo Chu | At Punakha | 1 244 | 14.4.76 | 28.5 | 15.0 | - | - | - |
| vii. Sankosh River | Near Teental | 488 | 29.4.76 | 27.0 | 18.5 | 8.7 | - | - |
| viii. Sankosh River near Kalikola | At foothills near Kalikhola | 198 | 25.4.76 | 32.0 | 26.0 | - | - | - |
| Manas System | ||||||||
| i. Chamkhar Chu | Byker | 2 957 | 28.6.76 | 17.0 | 10.0 | 7.0 | 27 | - |
| Chamkhar Chu | Byker | 2 957 | 7.10.76 | 17.0 | 10.0 | 7.9 | 34 | 9.5 |
| ii. Kaligkhola River | Perithong and Bhumthang | 2 957 | 28.6.76 | 17.0 | 10.0 | 9.2 | 46 | - |
| Kaligkhola River | Perithong and Bhumthang | 2 957 | 8.10.76 | 19.5 | 8.5 | 7.8 | 26 | 7.8 |
| iii. Tongsa River | Tongsa | 1 829 | 27.6.76 | - | - | 7.0 | 30 | 11 |
| Tongsa River | Tongsa | 1 829 | 7.10.76 | 17.0 | 10.0 | 7.7 | 43.5 | - |
| iv. Manas | Tashigong | 762 | 9.8.76 | 29.0 | 10.0 | 7.5 | 101 | - |
| v. Gamri Chu | Manas Tributary at Tashigong | 762 | 23.11.76 | 27.0 | 13.0 | 7.8 | - | - |
| vi. Mangdi Chu | Near Mangdi Chu Bridge | 610 | 1.6.76 | 21.5 | 17.0 | 7.7 | 48.5 | - |
| Mangdi Chu | Near Mangdi Chu Bridge | 610 | 28.6.76 | - | 17.6 | 8.2 | 27 | - |
| vii. Manas Sanctuary | Manas Sanctuary | 215 | 4.5.76 | 27.0 | 17.0 | 7.4 | 110 | - |
| Mutange Nadi | Samdrupjongkhar | 229 | 11.8.76 | 25.0 | 17.0 | 7.2 | 68 | - |
| Chamerchi River | Samchi | 558 | 19.6.76 | 30.0 | 21.5 | 7.8 | - | - |
| Samchi River | Samchi | 558 | 20.6.76 | 30.0 | 27.0 | 7.6 | - | - |
| Sarbhang Khola | Sarbhang | 326 | 27.4.76 | 37.0 | 26.0 | 8.7 | - | - |
| Sarbhang | 326 | 21.6.76 | - | - | 7.5 | 20 | - | |
| Sarbhang | 326 | 7.8.76 | 35.0 | 23.6 | 8.0 | 38 | - | |
| Gaylegphug River | Gaylegphug | 195 | 30.3.76 | 27.0 | 16.2 | - | - | - |
| Kalikhola | 195 | 2.5.76 | 31.0 | 21.0 | 7.8 | 140 | - | |
| Kalikhola | 195 | 22.6.76 | 29.5 | 21.0 | 7.3 | 115 | - | |
| Chesupani | 204 | 2.5.76 | 31.0 | 21.0 | 7.8 | - | - | |
Table 4
DISTRIBUTION AND AVAILABILITY OF VARIOUS SPECIES OF FISH IN BHUTAN
| Name of the species of fish (local name if any) | Name of the river | Date of collection | Place of collection (Altitude in m) | Water temperature (°C) | No. of specimen caught | Size range (cm) | Observations on breeding |
| 1. Salmo trutta fario (Brown trout) | Ha chu | 18.3.76 | Near Helipad (2 774) | - | 29 | 18–50 | |
| Paro chu | 2.2.76 | Paro (2 362) | - | 2 | 15–30 | ||
| Thimbu Chu | Many days | Thimbu (2 316) | 5–18 | Large number of fishes caught during the year | 12–45 | Large number of fingerlings are available in Ha chu and Thimbu Chu. 1 030 fingerlings caught from Thimbu chu. Natural breeding phenomenon was also observed on 18.11.76 in Thimbu. Trout is established in river Thimbu and probably in Paro and Ha chu | |
| Sankosh | 9.2.76 | Punakha (1 240) | - | 2 | 53 | ||
| Chamkhar chu | 7.10.76 | Byakar (2 774) | 10 | 2 | 28 & 42 | ||
| Sankosh river | 10.4.76 | Wangdiphodrang (1 219) | 15.5 | 1 | 52 | ||
| Sankosh river | 11.4.76 | Punakha (1 240) | 15 | 4 | 50–53 | ||
| 2. Schizothorax Progastus Asia (local trout) | Ha chu | 30.9.76 | Ha Dzong (2 774) | 14 | 2 | - | |
| Thimbu Chu | 21.4.76 | Thimbu (2 316) | - | Fry | - | Fry and fingerlings and adults available throughout the river systems and at all altitudes in the country | |
| Sankosh | 18.9.76 | Between Punakha and Wangdiphodrang (1 220) | - | 8 | 10–15 | ||
| Kuru chu (tributary of Manas) | 28.2.76 | Lingmethang (1 000) | - | 1 big | 22 | ||
| 11 small | 5–7 | ||||||
| Manas river | 4.3.76 | Manas Sanctuary (215) | - | 4 | 14–16 | Fingerlings were available in large numbers | |
| Manas river | 4.5.76 | Manas Sanctuary (215) | 17 | 21 | 4–6 | ||
| +4 | 14–16 | ||||||
| Mangdi chu | 1.5.76 | Mangdi chu bridge (610) | 17 | 4 | 20–43 | ||
| Sankosh | 25.4.76 | Kalikhola (213) | 26 | 2 | 10–12 | ||
| Sankosh | 29.4.76 | Teental (488) | 18.5 | 18 | 7.5–23 | ||
| Gaudi river (tributary of Manas) | 8.8.76 | Buna (853) | 19 | 11 | 20–26 | ||
| 3. Acrossocheilus hexagonolepis (Catli) | Mangdi chu | 1.5.76 | Mangdi chu bridge (610) | 17 | 4 | 17–19 | |
| Manas | 4.5.76 | Manas Sanctuary (215) | 17 | 6 | 11–15 | ||
| Gaylegphug | 2.5.76 | Gaylegphug (195) | 21 | 2 | 19–21 | Fingerlings collected from different rivers | |
| Phepsu | 27.4.76 | Phepsu (335) | 25 | 3 | 16–17 | ||
| Sarbhang Khola | 27.4.76 | Sarbhang (326) | 26 | 3 | 8–12 | ||
| Kuru chu | 28.2.76 | Lingmethang (1 000) | - | 1 | 22 | ||
| Chanchi river (tributary of Sankosh | 28.4.76 | Labdibote (1 280) | 21 | 7 | 15–17 | ||
| Phuntsholing | 27.3.76 | Phuntshcling (234) | - | 21 | 6–9 | ||
| Sarbhang Khola | 7.8.76 | Sarbhang (326) | - | 1 | 27* | *Male with milt indicating that breeding takes place in August/September | |
| 4. Tor putitora (Mahaseer) | Sankosh | 25.4.76 | Khalikhola (213) | 26 | 1 | 25 | Fingerlings available |
| Sarbhang Khola | 27.4.76 | Sarbhang (326) | 26 | 2 | 10 | ||
| Manas river | 4.5.76 | Manas Sanctuary (215) | 17 | 3 | 14–19 | ||
| 5. Tor tor (Mahaseer or Jamtura in Nepali) | Gaylegphug | 29.3.76 | Gaylegphug (195) | - | 4 | 20–23 | Fingerlings available |
| Gaylegphug | 2.5.76 | Gaylegphug (195) | 21 | 2 | 22–24 | ||
| Phepsu | 27.4.76 | Phepsu (335) | 23 | 1 | 23 | ||
| Manas river | 4.5.76 | Manas Sanctuary (215) | 17 | 2 | 12 | ||
| Sarbhang Khola | 21.6.76 | Sarbhang (326) | - | 4 | 12–14 | ||
| 6. Barilius shaora | Sankosh | 25.4.76 | Khalikhola (213) | 26 | 2 | 4–6 | Fingerlings only |
| 7. Puntius titius | Sankosh | 29.4.76 | At Toental (610) | 18.5 | 2 | - | |
| Sarbhang Khola | 27.4.76 | Sarbhang (326) | 26 | 1 | 10 | ||
| 8. Barbus spp. | Gaylegphug | 2.5.76 | Gaylegphug (195) | 21 | 2 | - | |
| 9. Puntius sophore | Gaylegphug | 2.5.76 | Gaylegphug (195) | 21 | 2 | 7 | |
| 10. Puntius ticto | Gaylegphug | 2.5.76 | Gaylegphug (195) | 21 | 2 | 6–3 | |
| Sarbhang Khola | 27.4.76 | Sarbhang (326) | 26 | 1 | 6 | ||
| 11. Puntius macropogon | Gaylegphug | 2.5.76 | Gaylegphug (195) | 21 | 1 | 17 | |
| 12. Barilius barna | Manas river | 4.5.76 | Manas Sanctuary (215) | 17 | 2 | 11–15 | Large numbers of fry and fingerlings and adults collected |
| Phepsu | 27.4.76 | Phepsu (335) | 25 | 2 | 11 | ||
| Sankosh | 25.4.76 | Khalikhola (213) | 26 | 10 | 4 | ||
| Gaylegphug | 2.5.76 | Gaylegphug (195) | 21 | 3 | 9–11 | ||
| Sarbhang Khola | 27.4.76 | Sarbhang (326) | 26 | 1 | 9 | ||
| Khalikhola | 30.3.76 | Khalikhola (195) | 21 | 1 | 8.5 | ||
| Manas river | 4.5.76 | Manas Sanctuary 225 | 17 | 3 | 9 | ||
| Phuntsholing | 28.3.76 | Phuntsholing (234) | - | 12 | 8–12 | ||
| Mangdi chu | 1.5.76 | Mangdi chu bridge (610) | 17 | 4 | 8–13 | ||
| 13. Barilius vagra | Sankosh | 25.4.76 | Khalikhola (213) | 26 | 2 | 10 | |
| Sankosh | 29.4.76 | Teental (610) | 18.5 | 1 | 15 | ||
| Sarbhang Khola | 27.4.76 | Sarbhang (326) | 26 | 2 | 10 | ||
| Manas | 4.5.76 | Manas Sanctuary (215) | 17 | 5 | 8–13 | Large numbers are available | |
| 14. Barilius bendelisis | Gaylegphug | 2.5.76 | Gaylegphug (195) | 21 | 1 | 13 | |
| Sarbhang Khola | 27.4.76 | Sarbhang (326) | 26 | 4 | 9–13 | ||
| 15. Barilius bola | Phepsu | 27.4.76 | Phepsu (335) | 25 | 1 | 25 | |
| 16. Semiplotus semiplotus (Chepti) | Phepsu | 27.4.76 | Phepsu (335) | 26 | 9 | 11–19 | Breeds in rivers, fingerling recovered from nursery at Phuntsoling |
| Sarbhang Khola | 21.6.76 | Sarbhang (326) | 20 | 4 | 6–8 | ||
| 17. Labeo dyocheilus | Phepsu | 27.4.76 | Phepsu (335) | 25 | 1 | 27 | |
| Manas | 4.3.76 | Manas Sanctuary (215) | - | 6 | * | *3 male and 2 female from 32–40 cm each and fingerlings (19 cm) | |
| Manas | 4.5.76 | Manas Sanctuary (215) | 17 | 2 | * | *One female (43 cm) full of eggs and one mature male (37 cm). It seems it comes to breed in this area. | |
| 18. Labeo pangusia | Sankosh | 29.4.76 | Teental (610) | 18.5 | 1 | 16 | |
| 19. Labeo dero | Manas | 4.5.76 | Manas (215) | 17 | 1 | 23 | |
| 20. Crossocheilus latius | Gaylegphug | 2.5.76 | Gaylegphug (105) | 21 | 1 | 16 | |
| Sarbhang Khola | 27.4.76 | Sarbhang (335) | 26 | 2 | 10–15 | ||
| Manas | 4.5.76 | Manas Sanctuary (215) | 17 | 2 | 11–14 | Full of eggs | |
| 21. Nandus nandus | Gaylegphug | 2.5.76 | Gaylegphug (195) | 21 | 4 | 10–13 | |
| 22. Garra annadalei | Phepsu | 27.4.76 | Phepsu (335) | - | 1 | 15 c. | |
| Gaylegphug | 2.5.76 | Gaylegphug (195) | 21 | 1 | 16 | ||
| Sarbhang Khola | 27.4.76 | Sarbhang (326) | 26 | 4 | 10–12 | ||
| 23. Botia dario | Gaylegphug | 2.5.76 | Gaylegphug (195) | 21 | 1 | 12 | |
| 24. Mystus vittatus | Gaylegphug | 2.5.76 | Gaylegphug (195) | 21 | 2 | 11 | |
| 25. Batasio batasio | Gaylegphug | 2.5.76 | Gaylegphug (195) | 21 | 1 | 11 | |
| 26. Ompok pabda | Gaylegphug | 2.5.76 | Gaylegphug (195) | 21 | 2 | 13 | |
| 27. Bystus bleekeri | Gaylegphug | 2.5.76 | Gaylegphug (195) | 21 | 3 | 11 | |
| 28. Rasbora daniconius | Gaylegphug | 2.5.76 | Gaylegphug (195) | 21 | 1 | 8 | |
| 29. Channa striatus | Gaylegphug | 2.5.76 | Gaylegphug (195) | 21 | 2 | - | |
| 30. Channa gachua | Phepsu | 27.4.76 | Phepsu (335) | 25 | 1 | 22 | |
| 31. Xenentoddon cancilla | Phepsu | 27.4.76 | Phepsu (335) | 25 | 2 | 22 | |
| 32. Danio dangila | Sarbhang Khola | 27.4.76 | Sarbhang (326) | 26 | 1 | 8 | |
| Manas | 4.5.76 | Manas Sanctuary (215) | 17 | 1 | 8 | ||
| 33. Danio aequipinnatus | Sarbhang Khola | 27.4.76 | Sarbhang (326) | 26 | 3 | 8.5–10 | |
| Manas | 4.5.76 | Manas Sanctuary (215) | 17 | 1 | 7–9 | ||
| 34. Mastecambelus armatus | Sarbhang Khola | 27.4.76 | Sarbhang (326) | 26 | 1 | 21 | |
| Khalikhola | 30.3.76 | Kalikhola (195) | 16.2 | 1 | 14 | ||
| 35. Schizothorax molesworthel | Manas | 4.5.76 | Manas Sanctuary (215) | 17 | 1 | 16 | |
| 36. Bagarius bagarius | Manas | 4.5.76 | Manas Sanctuary (215) | 17 | 1 | 16 | |
| 37. Nangra punctata | Manas | 4.5.76 | Manas Sanctuary (215) | 17 | 1 | - | |
| 38. Badis badis | Manas | 4.5.76 | Manas Sanctuary (215) | 17 | 4 | 3–6.5 | |
| 39. Brachdanio rerio (Zebra) | Sarbhang Khola | 27.4.76 | Sarbhang (326) | 26 | 2 | 5 | |
| 40. Garra gotya (Buduna) | Sankosh | 25.4.76 | Khalikhola (213) | 26 | 3 | 4–5 | |
| Phepsu | 27.4.76 | Phepsu (335) | 25 | 1 | 12 | ||
| Sarbhang Khola | 27.4.76 | Sarbhang (326) | 26 | 8 | 8–12 | ||
| Mangdi chu | 1.5.76 | Mangdi chu bridge (610) | 17 | 6 | 16–18 | ||
| 41. Cirrhina lata | Sankosh | ||||||
| 42. Noemacheilus botia | Sarbhang Khola | 27.4.76 | Sarbhang (326) | 26 | 1 | 9 | |
| Prawns | Manas | 4.5.76 | Manas Sanctuary (215) | 17 | 4 | 8–9 |
Note: Most of the fishes, particularly murrels, catfishes and minor varieties, rise into the small streams from rivers in India and more particularly during onset of rains
Table 5
MARKET SITUATION FOR DRIED FISH IN BHUTAN
| Market place | Number of shops | Varieties of dried fish sold | Current available prices (N per kg) | Approx. quantity sold annually (t) | Remarks | |
| 1. Phuntsholing | 8–10 | Marine, salted fish from Bombay and Calcutta: Bombay duck, ribbon fish, Herpsdon, etc.; sun-dried fish from Assam and Bengal, India, including catfishes, minor carps, minnows, etc. | Marine fish - 3–6 Sun-dried - 6–8 | 40 | One wholesale store owned by a private Tibetan wholesaler | |
| 2. Thimbu | about 25 | Same as above | Marine fish - 4–6 Sun-dried - 6–10 | 60 | Fish is sold mostly in the shops owned by Tibetans and Bhutanese. | |
| 3. Punakha | 18–20 | Mostly marine dried | Marine fish - 5–8 Sun-dried - 6–10 | 40 | Two shops mostly deal in wholesale supply of marine salted fish to interior areas. | |
| 4. Wangdi Phodrang | 6–8 | Mostly marine dried | Marine fish - 6–8 Sun-dried - 8–10 | 15 | Mostly marine dried fish. Sometimes locally smoked asla also available. | |
| 5. Tongsa | 17–18 | Mostly marine dried | Marine fish - 6–8 | 10 | Mostly marine dried fish. | |
| 6. Shemgang | 4–5 | Marine dried | Marine dried- 6–8 | 4 | - | |
| 7. Byakar | 10–12 | Same as above | Same as above | 6 | - | |
| 8. Mongar | 2–3 | Same as above | Same as above | 2 | - | |
| 9. Tashigong | 8–10 | Marine dried and Sun-dried from Assam | Marine fish - 5–8 Sun-dried - 8–10 | 25 | There are 2–3 whole - salers who supply fish to interior | |
| 10. Deothang - 2 ) | Shops | Marine dried and sun-dried from Assam | Marine fish - 5–8 Sun-dried - 6–10 | 12 | - | |
| Narphong - 2–3) | ||||||
| Wamrong - 2–3) | ||||||
| Khaling - 2–3) | ||||||
| Kanglung - 4 ) | ||||||
| 11. Samdrup Jongkhar | 5–6 | Same as above | Marine fish - 4–6 Sun-dried - 6–8 | 8 | Sold in open market mostly on weekdays. | |
| 12. Outside neighbouring village Dharanga (Mela Bazar) close to Samdrup Jongkhar | 6 | Marine fish from Bombay and sundried fish of 6–8 varieties brought from Assam, particularly from Nalbari area. | Marine fish - 3–6 Sun-dried - 5–10 Marine fish waste (powder) is sold at a rate of N 0.50/kg and is purchased by poultry keepers | 150 | Though the village is situated outside Bhutan, the fish is supplied to all the interior areas of eastern Bhutan by six Assamese wholesalers in Dharanga (Mela Bazar). One of these shopkeepers has been found to have a stock of more than 7–8 t of marine fish and 1.5–2 t of sun-dried fish. | |
| 13. Gaylegphug | 4(in open market) | Mostly marine dried and sun-dried from Assam | Marine dried - 6–8 Sun-dried - 8–12 | 40 | There is one wholesale shop and 2–3 fish sellers who sell the fish daily in open market and more on weekly market days. | |
| 14. Sarbhang | 2 | Same as above | Sun-dried - 8–12 | 2 | - | |
| 15. Paro | 15–20 | Mostly marine dried | Marine dried - 5–8 | 12 | - | |
| 16. Ha | 5 | Same as above | Marine dried - 6–8 | 9 | - | |
| TOTAL | 435 | |||||
| In addition to the above dried fish, both marine salted and sun-dried fish from Assam and Bengal rivers are also available in foothills villages of Bhutan and interior areas, account of which has not been included in this table. | ||||||
Table 6
MARKET SITUATION FOR FRESH FISH IN BHUTAN
| Market place | Species of fish commonly available | Caught in Bhutan/or imported from India | Approx. quantity of fresh fish received per year (t) | Current average prices N per kg | Remarks | |
| 1. Phuntsholing | Major carp: catli, rohu, mrigal and mahaseer. Other fishes: singhi, magur, murrels, hilsa, chetal and other minor varieties, minnows, etc. | There is a small market in Phuntsholing and fish is sold on weekdays but most of the fish for Phuntsholing is purchased from shops in Jaigaon (West Bengal, India), which is close to Phuntsholing with the fish shops only about 30 m away. | 15 | Major carps ) | 14–18 | |
| catfish ) | ||||||
| Small sized ) | 10–12 | |||||
| Major carp ) | ||||||
| Murrels ) | 9–10 | |||||
| singhi ) (live) | ||||||
| Minor carps ) | 8–10 | |||||
| minnows ) | ||||||
| Hilsa and ) | 12–14 | |||||
| chetal ) | ||||||
| Prawns | 14–18 | |||||
| 2. Thimbu | Same as above | Brought mostly from Siliguri, West Bengal, India. | 20 | Rohu and catli | 15–18 | Sold in amarket fish shop on week-days. |
| Small sized carps | 10–12 | |||||
| Chetal, mrigal and hilsa | 12 | Also sold occasionally in shops no and hotels. | ||||
| Big size | 10–12 | Fish comes from India in baskets with ice. Sometimes small substandard fish are sold. | ||||
| Small size | 8 | |||||
| 3. Gaylegphug | Rohu, chepti, carps of small sizes, catli murrels, minor carp, minnows, small catfish caught from adjoining rivers and streams in India. | Brought from adjoining villages of India | 8 | Most of the fishes | 8–12 | |
| Prawns | 14–18 | |||||
| 4. Semdrup Jongkhar | Major carps: rohu and catli, mostly of medium and small sizes Catfish: wallago bagarius, mystus, murrels and live fish like singhi. | Brought from adjoining villages in Assam, India | 12 | Major carps and catfishes | 8–12 | Good quality of live fish is sold |
| Murrels and singhi (live) | 6–10 | |||||
| Minor carps, minnows | 6–8 | |||||
| Prawns | 14–16 | |||||
| 5. Important foothill towns like Samchi and Diapham. | Most of the above varieties | Brought from the adjoining rivers and streams | 10 | 8–12 | ||
| TOTAL | 65 | |||||
Fig. RIVER SYSTEM OF BHUTAN
